Boat Damaged?Get It Repaired Right.
Top Notch Marine repairs insured boat damage at our Melbourne facility: storms and hurricanes, collisions, groundings, engine damage and more. We document the damage, write a detailed estimate your adjuster can use, and fix your boat the right way.
Marine insurance repairs we handle
When your boat is damaged, you want one shop that can inspect it, explain what’s wrong, put it in writing for your insurance company and fix it properly. That’s what we do.
Storm & Hurricane Damage
Wind, water and impact damage from named storms, including boats that broke loose, sank at the dock or were damaged on the trailer.
Collision & Dock Damage
Hull, rub rail, deck and hardware damage from hitting another boat, a dock, a piling or a channel marker.
Grounding & Running Gear
Propellers, lower units, skegs, shafts and hull damage from running aground or striking submerged objects.
Outboard Engine Damage
Submersion, water intrusion, impact damage and failures caused by a covered loss. We service Yamaha, Mercury, Honda and Suzuki.
Fiberglass & Gelcoat
Cracks, gouges and structural hull and deck damage from a covered loss.
Electrical & Electronics
Wiring, gauges, electronics and systems damaged by water, impact or fire.
Theft & Vandalism
Stolen engines, electronics and equipment replaced, and vandalism damage repaired.
Fire Damage
Damage assessment and repair after a fire, or a clear answer if the boat isn’t worth repairing.
Trailer Damage
Bent frames, axles, bunks, lights and tires damaged in an accident or storm.
How the boat insurance repair process works
- Make it safe and report the damageMake sure everyone is safe, take reasonable steps to keep the damage from getting worse, and report the loss to your insurance company right away. Keep receipts for anything you spend.
- Photograph everythingTake photos and video of all damage, the hull ID number and the engines before anything is cleaned up or repaired.
- Contact Top Notch MarineCall 321-253-4050 or request service online and tell us your insurance company and claim number.
- Inspection and written estimateOur team inspects the boat, documents the damage and prepares a detailed written repair estimate.
- Adjuster reviewYour adjuster reviews the damage and our estimate. We provide photos, documentation and answers about the repair. If hidden damage turns up once repairs begin, we document it and submit a supplemental estimate.
- Approval and repairOnce the repair is approved, we complete the work with quality parts and keep you updated along the way.
- Final check and pickupWe inspect the finished work with you before the boat goes home.
Please note: Top Notch Marine is a marine repair facility, not an insurance company, insurance agent, public adjuster or law firm. We document damage, write repair estimates and repair boats. We do not file, negotiate or settle insurance claims. If you want someone to represent you on a claim, we can refer you to a licensed public adjuster or maritime attorney.
Why boat owners choose Top Notch Marine for insurance repairs
Since 1987
Decades of buying, selling and servicing boats on Florida’s Space Coast.
Estimates Adjusters Can Use
Detailed, itemized estimates with photos, so your adjuster sees exactly what needs to be done.
One Facility
Inspection, parts, engine work and repairs under one roof at 6000 N. US Highway 1 in Melbourne.
Secure Storage
Need a safe place for the boat while the claim is reviewed? Ask about our secure boat storage.
Straight Answers
If a repair doesn’t make sense, we’ll tell you, and help you understand your options.
Your Choice of Shop
Most boat policies let you choose where your boat is repaired. Check your policy, then tell your insurer you’d like Top Notch Marine to do the work.
See what an adjuster-ready estimate looks like
Your adjuster can’t approve what they can’t see. Every Top Notch Marine insurance estimate is built so the damage is clear, the repair is justified and nothing gets missed:
- Every damaged item listed and grouped by area
- Each line tied to numbered photos
- Labor hours and parts shown separately
- Notes for your adjuster, including how hidden damage is handled
Boat a total loss, or not worth repairing?
Sometimes the smartest move is not to repair the boat. If your insurer declares a total loss, or the repair cost doesn’t make sense for an older boat, our sister company Florida’s Boat Buyer offers free, no-obligation advice on your options, including selling the boat as-is or trading into another one.
Areas we serve
Our repair facility is in Melbourne, Florida. Boat owners bring damaged boats to us from across the Space Coast, the Treasure Coast and Central Florida, including:
- Melbourne
- Palm Bay
- Indialantic
- Melbourne Beach
- Satellite Beach
- Rockledge
- Cocoa
- Cocoa Beach
- Merritt Island
- Titusville
- Sebastian
- Vero Beach
- Fort Pierce
- Stuart
- Orlando
Marine insurance repair FAQs
Will my insurance pay to repair my boat?
It depends on your policy and the cause of the damage. Most boat policies cover sudden, accidental damage such as storms, collisions, groundings, fire, theft and vandalism. Wear and tear, gradual deterioration and lack of maintenance are usually excluded. Your insurance company makes the coverage decision; we can document the damage and write the repair estimate they will need.
Can I choose my own boat repair shop for an insurance claim?
In most cases, yes. Many boat policies let you choose the repair facility, though your insurer may want to inspect the boat or review the estimate first. Check your policy, then let your adjuster know you’d like Top Notch Marine to handle the repair.
Do I need a repair estimate before the adjuster inspects my boat?
Not always, but a detailed written estimate from a qualified marine repair facility helps your adjuster understand the full extent of the damage. Call us and we’ll schedule an inspection.
Should I start repairs before my insurance company sees the damage?
Only to prevent further damage, such as pumping water or covering openings, and keep receipts. Don’t begin permanent repairs until your insurer has inspected the damage or approved the work, or the repair could be questioned.
What happens if you find more damage during the repair?
Hidden damage often shows up once a boat is opened up. We document it with photos and submit a supplemental estimate to your insurance company for review before continuing that part of the work.
How long does an insurance boat repair take?
It depends on the extent of the damage, how quickly the claim is approved and parts availability. After major storms, demand for parts and repairs rises across Florida, so it helps to contact us as early as possible.
Do you repair hurricane and storm-damaged boats?
Yes. We repair storm damage to hulls, engines, electrical systems and trailers, and we can tell you honestly whether a storm-damaged boat is worth repairing.
Do you repair outboard engines damaged by water?
Yes. We service Yamaha, Mercury, Honda and Suzuki outboards. If an engine has been submerged, contact us quickly; the sooner a submerged engine is serviced, the better the chance of saving it.
Are you a public adjuster?
No. Top Notch Marine is a marine repair facility. We document damage, write estimates and repair boats, but we don’t file, negotiate or settle insurance claims. If you want representation on your claim, we can refer you to a licensed public adjuster or maritime attorney.
What if my boat is a total loss?
Your insurance company decides whether a boat is a total loss. If it is, or if repairs don’t make financial sense, Florida’s Boat Buyer can help you understand your options, including selling the damaged boat or moving into another one.
Get your damaged boat inspected
Tell us what happened and who your insurer is. We’ll inspect the damage, put it in writing and get your boat back on the water the right way.